Endura Translite II base layer review: Strong performance at a value price

The humble cycling base layer is a piece of cycling kit that’s often overlooked. They rarely receive much fanfare or feature in glossy press shots, but they are always there for us, quietly doing a solid job and keeping us comfortable on the bike.

The Endura Translite II short-sleeved base layer fits the bill perfectly as one of these unsung heroes. It’s a simple, white, short-sleeved cycling base layer. It's a well-made and well-executed design that's reasonably priced. It also features in our best cycling base layers buyers guide. 

In the UK, the Translite II retails at £29.99 and is comprised of a Polyester mix. A total of 38% is a recycled polyester fine gauge mesh. The rest is regular Polyester. 

There’s one colour option, white. It is available in short-sleeved or sleeveless options in a good range of sizes. There is also a slightly more expensive windproof Translite option in the range if you are interested in a bit more protection. 

Design and aesthetics 

I know this isn’t a review for a new groupset or set of fancy carbon wheels. It’s for a short-sleeved, white base layer. However, we are in the business of reviewing cycling kit here on the Cyclingnews tech team and appreciate that finding a review for a product you are considering buying can be exciting and useful. With that in mind, you're going to get a proper job here. 

And so, to the Translite II. Designed by Endura in Scotland, and manufactured in China. The Polyester mesh it's constructed from is very fine, almost translucent. Endura says this is to aid breathability. 

The brand also claims to have included forward-facing, cycling-specific sleeves, to accommodate the position we assume when sitting on a bike, though I can't say I noticed anything particularly different about them. 

There’s another bike-specific nod regarding the panelling, there's a slightly dropped back and flatlock seams which are neat and unobtrusive. There are more seams here than on some more premium base layers, this is one of the areas your extra spend goes on when you look at the top end of what's on the market.

There is a silvery grey Endura logo and brand name on the chest, and a small rubber label bearing the Endura ‘E’ logo at the hem. The internal labels are fairly large and can be found at the hem and neck, though you can always neatly cut these out if you prefer - they haven’t caused me any issues though. 

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Performance 

Lots of base layers are polyester or polyester blends, nothing new there. But the Translite II’s makeup is very light and very comfortable. The fine, light mesh seems to seem to bring a lot of comfort in its design and the base layer certainly doesn’t lose out in the comfort stakes to more expensive options. It’s actually probably one of the comfiest base layers I’ve pulled on. 

I’m about 65kg and tested a size small and sizing is consistent with other brands, so you can trust the Endura size chart. The base layer is fitted, but certainly isn’t super tight and has a good deal of stretch. To give you an idea, it’s closer to a more fitted t-shirt feel than a super tight, cycling-specific garment. 

It sits nicely under cycling jerseys generally. If you're wearing a tight-fitting or aero road jersey I’d suggest going for the sleeveless option, this will eliminate the chance of the slightly looser arms riding up under your tight jersey sleeves, especially if they are elbow length. This looks a bit unsightly and can be annoying. With that said, having tried it with a tighter-fitting jersey and arm warmers on a few occasions, the sleeves didn't particularly get in the way for me. 

For more general use with a range of jerseys including looser fitting ones or for layering, go for the short sleeve option. Although it’s cycling-specific, the fit is such that you can also wear it off the bike. I've found it comfortable for running, and even lounging around the house. 

It's kept me comfortable and dry on a range of rides, I've found it to get ever so slightly sweaty when the temperature is into the mid-twenties and above, but this is quite subjective. The kit you are wearing, conditions and how hard you're riding will all affect this. 

Verdict 

The Translite II offers strong performance for the price and doesn’t really have any major weaknesses. Mine has worn and washed well. It’s picked up a mark on the chest that seems resistant to washing, but this doesn’t bother me in the slightest. The labels may irritate you, they haven’t me, but if they do, just neatly snip them out. 

For the money, this base layer offers great comfort and performance in lots of different conditions and will work well with a range of cycling kit and riding styles. What’s not to like?